Some crazy, intense tracks are present here with an original, distinctive, crazy rapper who disses everyone from the west-except Ice Cube. There is a good half a dozen of great gritty hardcore hip hop songs here that tempt me to rank this album even higher, but it drops off a touch with the last handful of tracks, and after the uncompromising 'Dog's Gonna Getcha', it never matches that passion. Nevertheless, for the best this offers it is well worth checking out if you like the descriptions above. Beats: ★★★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Low Down Nigga, Fuck Compton, Step to Me, I'll Wax Anybody, Dog's Gonna Getcha

A lot won't blow you away here, but it is an extremely consistent solid album. The rapping is good with Rhino's voice reminding me a bit of E-40 at times and the beats are that mobb music type of toe-tapping stuff. 'How Da West Was Won' is my pick from the album. Here Black Rhino tells a story about a robbery and a shootout in the Wild West that blends seamlessly into the following 'High Noon'. Best Tracks: After Dark, So Called Homies, How Da West Was Won, High Noon, Da Coast Is Clear

This was one of the first rap albums that I acquired, so I may hold this up a lil' too highly, but having heard his others since, I think this is probably his second best. The production is quite different from his others, with a mix of new and old producers providing beats. A number of producers work with Snoop for the first time, and while Dre is missing from this release, I don't think it lacks much in the beats. Most are funky, some soulful, and I've always liked them. Going back to it years later, I don't quite love everything as much as I used to, but most still holds up fairly well. Beats: ★★★★☆ Bars: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Stoplight, Beautiful, Lollipop, Ballin', Pimp Slapp'd, Paper'd Up, From tha Chuuuch to da Palace, From Long Beach 2 Brick City

Most of the beats, to borrow a line from Shania Twain, don't impress me much. It's all solid and not a chore to listen to as the rapping is nice, but as usual from a Wu or Wu affiliated artist, the beats are a bit of let down. 'Rock N Roll' is the only thing that comes close to being great here with it containing some more energy in the verses, however; the hook stops it from elevating to another level. The chorus on 'Chop Chop Ninja' is annoying also. While I didn't love 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt II',, it has more stand-outs than this album. Overall though, while it's a bit weaker than his previous album, if you're a fan and/or enjoyed his recent work, I can't see you not finding something here. 2.5-3/5 Best Tracks: Silver Rings, Snake Pond, Rock N Roll, From the Hills, Masters of Our Fate

As a rapper, Kool Keith is dope and this is a fun album. After about three spins though, there isn't enough to separate one song from the next for me. Not only lyrically, with sex being the main topic, but the beats coming from two producers as well blend in way too much. Thinking about it now, I struggle to think of the best songs on this. 3-3.5 / 5